Real Madrid Impressive however Vinicius Junior Tensions Intensify – Major Clasico Highlights
The match represented nearly an ideal day from Real Madrid, as they defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the famous derby and extend the gap at the top in the Spanish league to five points.
Bellingham notched his maiden league goal and key pass this term following a tough period coming back from a shoulder operation.
Mbappe maintained his lethal form in front of goal, and the coach's game plan during his debut El Clasico in the dugout worked like a charm.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question emerged again yet again.
Frustrated at being substituted, Vinicius ranted while walking right by the coach and stormed off the pitch, then coming back to the bench after a short while.
Manager's Approach Gets Results from Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Madrid's last eight coaches lost their debut La Liga match against Barcelona.
After the relaxed method of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered its first major result.
Spanish football analyst commented, “He got it spot on. Madrid were very good, while the visitors didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”
“Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they fell back in a structured manner, all players including the forward.”
Their defensive setup in two layers with a gap of five to 10 metres. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”
This approach looks to be positive for Jude, as he in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in midfield and additional duties.
On paper the young star started wide right, however he was allowed to come inside and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
Balague added, With the French midfielder in central midfield, it brings greater energy and additional options to block the channels.”
As a result the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning in possession and had space, connecting with him repeatedly.”
He was told to get into the box and position himself near just outside the box, where he poses a threat. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and cause Barca's task very difficult.”
Vinicius Tensions Exposed
There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant was chanted repeatedly by the passionate home supporters.
But recently there were countless reports over the past period that Los Blancos would consider letting him leave if an attractive proposal was made.
Vinicius has one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
His response to being replaced with 20 minutes left suggested tension. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened when he moved toward the Barcelona player.
The expert said, He will face backlash and justifiably, since it displayed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, his life has been in a hostile world, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
Such thinking is hard to change, particularly since you believe on the verge of number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”
Recently he's felt that the club isn't protecting him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept a bid of a quarter-billion euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to mend relations between the club and him currently.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Having triumphed in each of the recent Clasicos, the latest display highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Injuries have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players including the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup is not effective when they are missing.
The expert commented, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is flawed, like on the first goal since the defender played him onside, they receive little support from the attack failing to press the ball-carrier as expected.”
The young talent, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was well contained.
The big names did not perform well. Lamine seems not in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue